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Appeal over Workington pub closure

The owner of a Workington pub, which was closed because police feared it was so badly run that someone could die, has lodged an appeal.

Allerdale council revoked the licence of the Appletree last month because of several issues including two cases of serious injury.

But owner Anita Gilpin said there had been very few incidents of crime or disorder directly linked to the Finkle Street pub.

She felt she had been unfairly treated by Cumbria police.

She said: “I want to get the licence reinstated, appoint a manager and get on with life.”

She said she had contacted the Independent Police Complaints Commission about her treatment and was due to meet Workington MP Tony Cunningham today.

When Mrs Gilpin took over the pub she employed her niece Michelle Park to manage it and be designated premises supervisor.

Ms Park’s employment at the pub ended in August, and Mrs Gilpin later took on the role. She admitted at the hearing last month that she was unable to run the pub herself, and health problems meant she was not fit for the job.

She told councillors that if the pub was allowed to keep its licence she intended to appoint Trevor Pepper, who runs Boxer Security, to take over.

The licensing review heard from Sergeant Richard Farnworth and PC Lorraine Murphy that officers had been called to several incidents there over the last year.

There were other licensing issues such as CCTV footage not being retained for the required 28 days, and people who employed door staff not having the correct licences.

Mrs Gilpin and her solicitor Paul Nicholson said the CCTV storage issue had been due to a technical fault, and the required licences were now in place in relation to door staff.

Anonymous statements from three people described the venue as “hell on earth”. But Mr Nicholson presented statements from residents and businesses in support of the pub.

Mrs Gilpin said after the hearing that she could face bankruptcy and lose her home if the decision was not overturned.